2001 Domaine de Marcoux Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Rhone, France 750ml

Like the traditional cuvee, the 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes shows a tinge of cool climate-like style and offers nuanced notes of forest floor, garrigue, damp earth, olive and ample dark fruits. While the bouquet is outstanding, the palate is straight up sensational and this beauty has full-bodied richness, a layered, expansive texture, perfectly polished tannin and a great, great finish. I imagine it will keep for another decade, yet there's certainly no need to hold off either. (JD)